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Biomedical subjects

M G Thompson

Publications and source records attributed to M G Thompson.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

The Thompson-Patterson Scale of Psychosocial Development: I. Theoretical basis.

This paper presents a theoretical framework for describing childhood psychopathology in terms of coping styles and introduces a scale to measure psychosocial development in young children. It is hypothesized that coping styles characteristic of specific stages of development evolve in a predictable sequence with treatment. The term coping style rather than disorder is used to reflect the opinion that the child's behaviour constitutes an attempt to find a solution to difficulties encountered during the normal course of psychosocial development. These styles of relating are not static. The coping styles are presumed to arise from partial blocks to normal development during the period of early attachment and separation and individuation. A computer scored behaviour rating instrument, the Thompson-Patterson Scale, allows for the determination of the child's predominant coping style at a particular point in time. Clinical work and research has shown the utility of this paradigm and supports the hypothesis that changes in pathological behaviour patterns which emerge during treatment are predictable.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

The Thompson-Patterson Scale of Psychosocial Development: II. Investigation of its use in the assessment of preschool children.

The Thompson-Patterson Scale of Psychosocial Development (TP) is a parent interview questionnaire, each item scored on a 3 point scale and computer analyzed to yield a histogram profile consisting of 11 scale scores. Eight of these scales measure coping styles characteristic of sequential stages of psychosocial development and the remaining 3 are symptom scales. A pilot study was conducted to assess the usefulness of the TP as a diagnostic and therapeutic assessment instrument for preschoolers. The results indicated the following: i) a "healthy" profile emerged in the control group ii) a significant difference existed in the initial assessment profiles of the clinic and control groups; iii) the control group profiles were stable over the period of study; and iv) the profiles of the clinic group showed a movement towards health with treatment that reflected changes in the clinical status of the children. The promising results of this preliminary study suggest there is value in further investigation of the TP scale as an instrument for the dynamic developmental assessment of preschool children.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Interaction of the antibiotic adriamycin with the plasma membrane.

The antitumor antibiotic adriamycin was found to be a potent modulator of the human erythrocyte discocyte echinocyte transition. Incubation of discocytes for 10 min with 10 microM adriamycin inhibited calcium-induced echinocytosis by 90 per cent. Adriamycin itself had no effect on erythrocyte morphology, a feature which distinguished it from other amphipaths which bring about the formation of a cupped cell morphology. Additionally, adriamycin differed from amphipaths such as the phenothiazines in that concentrations which prevented echinocytosis had no effects on calmodulin, as measured by effects on calmodulin-stimulated 45Ca2+ uptake into inside-out red cell vesicles. Adriamycin, paradoxically, appeared to cause a fall in the levels of erythrocyte polyphosphoinositides, but prevented further breakdown induced by calcium loading. This fall in inositides may be apparent rather than real, as the drug did not cause breakdown of the inositides to either inositol di- or triphosphates in red cell vesicles. Instead, it inhibited breakdown. It is possible that adriamycin may complex out the inositides and thus maintain levels of the inositide polyphosphates, congruent with the maintenance of the discocyte morphology. Interference with inositol lipid metabolism may be an important aspect of the pharmacology of adriamycin.

Biological Transport↗

Perinatal lead and cadmium burden in a British urban population.

Concentrations of the potential pollutants, lead and cadmium, were studied in the perinatal period in a British urban population. Blood lead and cadmium concentrations and iron status were measured in 28 mother and infant pairs at delivery and at five days postpartum in the mother; breast milk collected at five days postpartum under controlled conditions was analysed for lead and cadmium. Placental transfer of both metals was noted; concentrations of lead in breast milk (mean concentration 0.01 mmol/l (2 micrograms/l) were less than in two brands of commercial prepacked formulas, and the concentration of cadmium in breast milk and prepacked formulas (mean 3.6 nmol/l (0.4 microgram/l] were similar. The risk of excess lead or cadmium intake from breast milk is small.

Cadmium↗

Patient care review: results of the Canadian Psychiatric Association Hospital Survey.

This paper is a report of the Education and Professional Liaison Council of the Canadian Psychiatric Association on the results of its questionnaire to 104 psychiatric hospital facilities in Canada on the extent, type and usefulness of patient care review procedures. The results indicate that the majority of hospitals appear to have initiated one or more patient care review activities within the last decade and have been carrying these out on a regular basis. These procedures have been considered useful for patient care and for continuing medical education. Both the frequency of patient care review activity and the type of procedure used, however, are directly related to the number of psychiatrists present in the center, with those hospitals having the least resources indicating little or no activity.

Canada↗

Hydrocephalic infants: developmental assessment and computed tomography.

29 hydrocephalic infants (less than 30 months) who had shunts were studied with the 'Bayley Mental Scale' and with computed tomography. It was found that patients with a medical history indicating brain injury in addition to hydrocephalus had lower scores on the 'Bayley Mental Scale' than a comparable group whose hydrocephalus had been uncomplicated. Dilatation of the lateral ventricles was assessed by computing the ventricle-brain ratio (VBR) from the CT scan. The VBR was inversely correlated with the 'Bayley Mental Scale' score. Two thirds of the sample were reevaluated after 1 year; there was a significant decrease in VBR, but mental quotient was unchanged. These findings are in agreement with studies on older children in that the prognosis for cognitive functioning in hydrocephalic children is affected by brain injury. A correlation between brain mass and intelligence has been reported in older children with uncomplicated hydrocephalus, but not in groups with mixed etiology.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts↗

Do anorectics get well? Current research and future needs.

The authors review data from 12 major outcome studies of anorexia nervosa published in the 15 years since the last review article of Ziolko (1966). Across the 12 studies the mortality rate from self-starvation was 6%. On follow-up, well over half of the subjects continued to have eating difficulties, and close to half showed other signs of psychiatric impairment. In nonsymptomatic areas of adjustment there was a striking contrast between the 90% who were successfully employed and the 54% who made some minimal form of marital or social adjustment. The authors present a series of recommendations about the form and content of future research in the field.

Anorexia Nervosa↗

Continuing education for psychiatrists: report on Canadian Psychiatric Association questionnaire.

This report on the CPA Questionnaire on Continuing Education represents the answers of a sample of 485 of the 1,360 certified psychiatrists belonging to the Association. A total of 72.6% of the sample lived in urban centres with populations greater than 200,000; 28.9% worked in solo practice, but only 7.4% worked in settings where no other psychiatrists were present. The amount of time spent in continuing education activities was found to vary inversely with the distance that had to be travelled to major educational centres. Nevertheless, there were no psychiatrists that did not partake in some continuing education activities. Ninety-three percent read journals, 99% went to meetings, and 96% used consultation with other psychiatrists; 99% stated that these activities were useful. The favourite methods were reading and consultation. Eighty percent of the sample spent more than 41 hours per month in continuing education activities. Sixty-five percent stated that they would like a voluntary credit award system instituted. It is concluded that Canadian psychiatrists do spend a great deal of time in continuing education activities and believe that this is of value to their professional work.

Adult↗

Priorities in psychiatric residency training.

The authors surveyed 22 psychiatric educators to determine their views of the basic knowledge and skills that should be required for all psychiatric residents. A comprehensive document of educational objectives facilitated practical differentiation of responses. Diagnostic, problem-solving, and treatment-dispositional skills were particularly highly ranked. Such data may be useful in defining the profession of psychiatry as well as in curriculum planning.

Curriculum↗

Treatment of tardive dyskinesia with dihydrogenated ergot alkaloids (hydergine): a pilot study.

Five patients with abnormal involuntary movements of tardive dyskinesia were treated with dihydrogenated ergot alkaloids (Hydergine) in doses of 3 to 4 milligrams a day for six weeks. Blind ratings of standard videotape recordings indicated significant differences between the patients. Worsening occurred in three patients during treatment and to a lesser extent after treatment; improvement during treatment appeared in one patient and more sustained improvement in one patient.

Adult↗

A model for the future care of acute spinal cord injuries.

This is a review of the total care of those acute spinal cord injury patients in Ontario during the years 1969 and 1970, from extrication and transportation following the accident to death, or the completion of primary definitive rehabilitation. Information was extracted from the available ambulance records, the patients and many of the responsible physicians were interviewed personally. The study was detailed and intensive and included a review of each patient's hospital records in each hospital up to discharge from the rehabilitation programme into the community, or to a chronic care unit. The data was compiled in accordance with a detailed and lengthy questionnaire developed for this study. The incidence of acute cord injuries in Ontario in 1969 and 1970 amounted to 244; in 1969, 15.9 per million population and in 1970, 13.6 per million. As in other studies road accidents took first place, followed by falls from a height; sports injuries ranked third and 65.7% of these were caused by diving into shallow water. Age incidence, and incidence by month, day of week and time of day were identified. Fridays and Saturday afternoons in July and August are particularly hazardous. The study continued to the end of 1974 by which time 34 deaths had been recorded. Peak incidence of death occurred within fourteen days of injury. The most common cause of death was respiratory in origin. Geographical distribution was identified and the type of hospital treating the acutely injured patient. Fourteen percent of persons with spinal column injury suffered progressive or sequential spinal cord damage both prior to and following medical contact. The incidence of pressure sores and genitourinary sepsis and calculosis was high in all types of hospitals. The effect of operative treatment was noted in cases of complete quadriplegia and paraplegia. Of the 133 survivors who undertook a rehabilitation program, 84% returned to their homes and 59% achieved gainful employemnt or ongoing education. The cost was determined of general hospital services and rehabilitation programmes. A new model for the care of the spinal cord injury patients in Ontario was proposed.

Acute Disease↗